Authorities maintain vigilance in response to Haiti cholera outbreak

The Ministry of Health in Barbados said it was maintaining a heightened state of vigilance in response to the ongoing cholera outbreak in Haiti, even though, to date, there have been no suspected or confirmed cases of cholera here.

Health officials said they have been undertaking measures to ensure that the health-care system is adequately prepared to respond to any possible threat posed by an outbreak of cholera in a neighbouring country.

The health ministry said that it has also taken steps to ensure that health-care providers are adequately sensitised about the symptoms and treatment of cholera. This includes the distribution of treatment protocols to private- and public-sector doctors; specific training for public-sector doctors and nurses, as well as surveillance training sessions for key stakeholders at all ports of entry.

Additionally, it said that an early warning surveillance system has been ongoing in Barbados for the past several months, while enhanced surveillance has been implemented at ports of entry, and laboratory support has been provided to aid in the rapid identification of any suspected cases that may arise.

While travel restrictions have not been implemented for persons travelling to Haiti, individuals have been cautioned against non-essential travel to that country and advised to take all necessary precautions with respect to the use of only safe sources of food and drink.